How to choose brake pads?

[slimgoodie_5]

Hello i am about to replace my front brake pads and rotors and i wanted to know what is the best way to choose pads. I am not looking for the most expensive pads but some that are good. I believe i want ceremic. I might go to NAPA to get them. I have a 2000 Camry. Also anyone has a good DYI i can see on changing brake pads/rotors?

[96ToyoCam164K]

pads are fairly simplistic. napa has good ones, but i heard even duralast gold are just as good. I have duralast (not my choice) that seem to be ok.

be sure to change the fluid while you're down there. Its very easy...

[Jason.MZW20]

Ceramic pads are a compromise between friction performance and dusting/noise.

I typically go for metallic compounds, which are slightly noisier and dustier, but offer more initial bite.

[JohnGD]

If your driving is fairly typical in a family sedan, then Akebono ProAct ceramic is a good choice. These pads are quiet, light dusting, and lasts a very long time (60-90K miles). Some Toyota OEM pads are Akebono, but they do get some inferior brands -- lowest bidder. Check rockauto.com for prices. Also amazon and tirerack.com.

http://www.akebonobrakes.com/aftermarket/index.asp

If you want performance and don't mind an occasional squeal, then Hawk Performance HPS is the way to go.

Get Brembo rotors or Raybestos Advanced Technology. Then Raybestos Professional Grade ~$20 each.

There are many other pads such as Duralast Gold (lifetime wear warranty, free pads forever I heard), Bendix, Raybestos, etc. Others can tell you more about their experience.

Originally Posted by slimgoodie_5

Hello i am about to replace my front brake pads and rotors and i wanted to know what is the best way to choose pads. I am not looking for the most expensive pads but some that are good. I believe i want ceremic. I might go to NAPA to get them. I have a 2000 Camry. Also anyone has a good DYI i can see on changing brake pads/rotors?

[71Corolla]

I put Akebono's on my 2001, they are very very quiet and produce no dust. But they don't seem to have the bite, it requires a little bit more pedal pressure than the previous pads (whatever they were I have no idea).

The best brakes I have ever used I purchased at the Toyota dealer, don't know who made them but they stopped great, lasted a very long time, and didn't damage the rotors. Only problem was the dust, they produced a lot if it. A good trade off I thought.

From this list, what would you chose? I need brakes all round on my 1993 (has rear discs)

[JohnGD]

Interesting. Semi-metallics may give off a lot of black dust, but they do stop well and do not fade. However, Akebono is right up there. Maybe there is some noticeable difference at highway speeds (Akebonos are not performance brake pads like Hawks), other than that these ceramics are excellent.

One problem with aftermarket Akebonos is their stick-on shims shift. And these can be a source of weak brake performace when they lodge against the caliper. This is the only complaint I have. IMO Akebono should use integrally molded noise shims like Hawk or Wagner.

I wouldn't mind getting the same Akebono from the dealer, but I wouldn't want NBK pads. NBKs fade and glaze easily.

In the US we typically see Toyota sells Akebonos (AK xxx-xxx FF marking) or NBKs (NBK xxx-xxx FF). There are some reports of Sumitomos. I'd still rank Akebono top among these. I don't think Toyota sells anything other than ceramics these days? So if the dealer gives you something with "AK xxx-xxx FF" on the back, I'd just take them.

I don't know about PBR Axxis pads (only heard of them). But if you can get Hawk HPS or LTS these may give off an occasional squeal but are performance pads. I'd prefer the same front/rear however.


http://www.hawkperformance.com/

HB401F.587 Disc Brake Pad; HPS Performance Street w/0.587 Thickness; Rear;
HB310F.689 Disc Brake Pad; HPS Performance Street w/0.689 Thickness; Front;
HB401Y.587 Disc Brake Pad; LTS w/0.587 Thickness; Rear;
HB310Y.689 Disc Brake Pad; LTS w/0.689 Thickness; Front;

Originally Posted by 71Corolla

I put Akebono's on my 2001, they are very very quiet and produce no dust. But they don't seem to have the bite, it requires a little bit more pedal pressure than the previous pads (whatever they were I have no idea).

The best brakes I have ever used I purchased at the Toyota dealer, don't know who made them but they stopped great, lasted a very long time, and didn't damage the rotors. Only problem was the dust, they produced a lot if it. A good trade off I thought.

From this list, what would you chose? I need brakes all round on my 1993 (has rear discs)

[71Corolla]

Thanks John, a wealth of information as usual.

I won't be getting pads at the dealer, in Canada the dealers here rob you blind, they mark-ups are obscene to put it mildly.

[slimgoodie_5]

Ok thanks for the information. i am looking to buy something local and really soon so i wont be ordering any pads from online. i wanted to know a good pair that a store like NAPA, AutoZone, Advance Auto sales. Also how do you change the brake fluid?

[JohnGD]

It's actually harder to find a good selection in local stores.

However, I'd check with your local dealer first, and see if you can get a set of pads with the markings "AK xxx-xxx FF' on the back. That's probably the easiest way to get Akebonos. Now if the dealer gives you NBK pads, I'd walk away. And instead go to O'Reilly's and get Raybestos Advanced Technology Ceramics.

If you want something cheaper, like $7/set less, get Raybestos Professional Grade Ceramics.

Now Autozone has Duralast Gold line with supposedly lifetime wear warranty! Get the CMax with nitrile noise shims for quieter performance. However, I never had luck with stick on shims. They always seem to move around.

Advance Auto has the Wagner ThermoQuiet line. Get the top line with integrally molded shims like modern brake pads are supposed to have (eg Hawk Performance).

http://www.federalmogul.com/en/After...e/Thermoquiet/

Of course, also consider whatever others are recommending.

Originally Posted by slimgoodie_5

Ok thanks for the information. i am looking to buy something local and really soon so i wont be ordering any pads from online. i wanted to know a good pair that a store like NAPA, AutoZone, Advance Auto sales. Also how do you change the brake fluid?

[fenixus]

uhm ... i'm using Hawk Performance HPS on stock (old) rotors. they are fantastic!!! especially after brake fluid flush (had to do it twice to get it done right).

our car has driven around 11k+ miles on them and so far wear is minimal. I followed the break-in instructions from manufacturer to the letter and they are VERY quiet! the only occasional squeal that i hear SOMETIMES (RARELY) is when car was standing in parking lot for like 3 days and there was humid weather. i'd rather say the squeal is made by rust collecting on rotor surface, nothing to do with squealing brake pads

only problem is some (rather low) dusting that accumulates on the wheel and is visible after like 2-3 weeks from car wash. not a real problem considering the superb braking performance! HIGHLY recommended!

I had Wagner ThermoQuiet organic pads before and they were horrible. wearing off VERY fast (after 20k miles there was less than half pad thickness left) and they were dusting MORE than my current Hawks HPS. what's worse, Wagners started squealing horribly once they were down to 50% thickness put them into garbage, especially that their stopping power was mediocre at some point ...

[JohnGD]

Internet commerce is great. There is a good selection and the prices are competitive. It's harder to find some of these top pads locally.